ANOTHER fascinating US Tour event coming up this week. We asked Louis Ross (@KingLouis2105) for the best bets.
AT&T Byron Nelson Classic | Thursday – Sunday | Sky Sports
More than a little unlucky last week (becoming a bit of a theme). Boo Weekly may well have won the thing, let alone finish in the Top 20 had he not put his back out halfway through the 2nd round. Charley Hoffman had us all going until the back 9 but was just a 10 foot putt on the last away from a place.
The PGA circus stays in Texas at TPC Four Seasons in Irving. A relatively short 7166 yard Par 70. It's another classical tree lined course that favours the shotmakers. Although short, with only two Par 5s, the bombers can have an advantage here. However, with yet another rain softened course this could like last week turn into a putting contest.
This tournament has a record of throwing up big priced winners. In fact four of the last five have recorded their maiden victory here. The last two, Brendon Todd and SangMoon Bae have won with -14 and -13 totals.
A big priced winner may well be on the cards again, especially as local boy Jordan Speith is in the field at 5/1. The kid is coming back to his Augusta form no doubt and was yet again in the mix last Sunday finishing a stroke back.
Speith has said in the past though, that this set-up just does not suit his eye. I'm almost certain to go with the young man at the US Open but not for me this week.
Ian Poulter was the original selection here (stop laughing) but he has withdrawn. I had a final list of six and another of those Jason Day has also pulled out.
Gary Woodland is a player I have followed over the last couple of years. He hits the ball miles, but there has always been an issue with his short game. Especially on the greens.
However, look at his recent performances and there has been a huge improvement. 2nd to Rory at the World Matchplay and a 4th at Quail Hollow are pretty impressive by any standards.
Woodland has managed to win Tour events when he couldn't putt, so he is now always on a list of potential winners, with that part of his game showing such improvement. He actually finished 1st in Strokes Gained Putting at Quail Hollow. He is well worth including at 33/1.
Russell Henley is another I have real confidence in here. Winner of the Sony Open and Honda Classic in similar conditions, Henley will relish the soft course and predicted winds. This guy has the short game of a future champion and once again, 50/1 looks outstanding value. Henley is quite often one of those players I look at in 1st Round Leader markets as he is always capable of going really low.
Morgan Hoffman, another from my FRL lists. This is my pick from the Rookie category that always seem to do well here. 5th on debut in 2013, he also went out in the second last group in 2014. He has form this season with a 4th at Bay Hill and Top 10 at Harbor Town. Another in that ‘he's bound to win soon' class. 60/1 with Bet365 stands out.
Finally, I was really impressed with Brandt Snedeker last Sunday. I first collected on this guy when he placed in The Masters at 150/1 and he has been a personal favourite ever since. Dustin Johnson and Jason Day are much shorter but out of form. Snedeker appeals very much at 28/1. If you take Jordan Speith (best finish 16th) out of the equation, then Snedeker is more a 14/1 chance.
Best Bets
AT&T Byron Nelson Classic – Russell Henley each way (50/1 Bet365)
AT&T Byron Nelson Classic – Morgan Hoffman each way (60/1 Bet365)
AT&T Byron Nelson Classic – Brandt Snedeker each way (28/1 Coral)
AT&T Byron Nelson Classic – Gary Woodland each way (33/1 Ladbrokes)
Free Bet If 2/3 Ball 4 Fold Loses By One
Place a 2 or 3 ball acca and if just one player lets you down Coral will refund your stake as a free bet.
This applies to any US PGA or European Tour event.
